New signing Nick Pope has revealed his conversations with England teammate Kieran Trippier, his love for Bobby Robson and his long-term ambitions for both club and country.
In an interview with NUFC TV following his official arrival on Tyneside, the 30-year-old discussed the ‘unbelievable atmosphere’ at St James’ Park and how it’s ‘really exciting to be a part of.’
The England international is no stranger to some of his new Toon teammates, having played with Chris Wood and Jeff Hendrick at Burnley as well as Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson with England.
Speaking on his friendships, the Soham-born keeper revealed he had already had conversations with Trippier prior to the move who ‘really sold it to me, he spoke incredibly highly of the team spirit, manager and atmosphere around the club.
As an Ipswich Town fan growing up, the shot-stopper always had an admiration for Sir Bobby Robson who played a ‘massive part’ in his childhood and was thought of ‘incredibly highly’ by his father.
Pope on his ambitions for club and country:
“I wouldn’t put a limit on my ambition. We don’t want to settle, we want to push ourselves to see what we can achieve.
“I look forward to hitting the ground here and getting settled in. That’s what’s most important to me. England will look after itself if you’re doing the right things at your club.
“We’ve got some high quality players, a high quality manager and support that’s unmatched. Why limit ourselves to anything?”
Pope on his talk with Kieran Trippier:
“He’s been telling me about the lads in the dressing room, the atmosphere home and away and the manager and what he’s brought to the club.
“He really sold it to me, he spoke incredibly highly of what’s going on at the club.”
Pope on his admiration of Bobby Robson:
“As an Ipswich Town season ticket holder growing up, Sir Bobby was a massive part of that football club and someone who my old man spoke incredibly highly of.
When he moved to Newcastle, my family still followed him. I’ve always known Newcastle as a massive football city, the fans really stick with the team and try and drag them forwards.”
You can watch the full interview here:
